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(11) | EP 1 349 347 A3 |
(12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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(54) | Method and apparatus for redundant signaling links |
(57) According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a protocol for managing redundant
signaling links to form a reliable signaling connection is provided. The protocol
has an initialization phase, in which the availability of signaling links is determined
and an available signaling link is selected and activated, followed by an operational
phase in which the activated link is used for sending signaling messages for a higher-level
protocol. During the operational phase both links are monitored for availability using
a query and reply technique. Should either link fail, a status message is sent to
the remaining available link along with an activity switchover being performed, as
required, depending on whether the failed link was the active link. The higher-level
protocol process running on the media gateway performs management of the links, and
the media gateway controller operates as a slave, whereby it need not initiate nor
control any of the activities for management of the signaling links, thereby reducing
the processing burden placed upon it. However, optionally, a media gateway controller
may request a link switchover, which may be used to support link maintenance activities
or link congestion avoidance measures. |